the dangers of coral-reefs, and islands of all sizes, which
in many parts sprinkle it so thickly.

"Land ahead!" was shouted from the foretopmast-head one forenoon, as we
were slowly gliding over the blue surface of the deep. As we got up
with it, we saw that it was a long, low, almost barren island, a few
trees only in the higher parts retrieving it from actual sterility. It
was a wild, desolate, melancholy-looking spot, such as would make a man
shudder at the very thought of being wrecked on it. At one end, inside
a reef over which the surf was breaking violently, lay a dark object.
As the officers were inspecting it through their glasses, they
pronounced it to be a wreck. There could be no doubt about it, and
Captain Carr resolved at once to visit the spot, to discover whether any
of the crew still remained alive.

As we stood on, a loud sound of roaring and yelping reached our ears,
and we saw on many of the rocks which surrounded the island a vast
number of seals, of the sort called "sea-lions." Newman and several of
us were eager to get in among them, to knock some of them on the head,
that we might make ourselves caps and jackets for our cruise in the icy
seas. The captain was equally anxious to get some seal-skins, and he
told us that, after we had visited the wreck, and explored the island,
we should try and catch some of the animals.

Seals are curious-looking creatures. The head, with its large mild
eyes, and snout, and whiskers, looks like that of some good-natured,
intelligent dog; and one expects, as they are swimming, to see four legs
and a thin curly tail come out of the water. Instead of that, the body
narrows away till there is seen a tail like that of a fish. The
hind-feet are like those of a duck when in the water, and the front ones
have, beyond the skin, only a flapper or paw with claws, at the end of
it. They are covered with thick, glossy hair, closely set against the
skin. The form of their jaws and teeth proves that they are
carnivorous, and they are known to live on fish, crabs, and sea-birds.
The birds they catch in the water, as they can swim with great rapidity
and ease. They can remain also for a considerable time under the water,
without coming to the surface to breathe.

The sea-lion, which was the species of seal we were hoping to attack,
grows to the length of ten feet. The colour is of a yellowish-brown,
and the males have a large mane, which covers their neck and shou